For anyone considering laser vision correction, understanding exactly what happens during the procedure can replace uncertainty with confidence. PRK, short for photorefractive keratectomy, was the first laser eye surgery approved for widespread use, and decades of refinement have made it one of the most trusted and precise vision correction options available. Here is a clear, step-by-step look at how it works.
Before the Procedure: Preparation
Your journey begins with a comprehensive eye examination to map the unique shape of your cornea and confirm your candidacy. On the day of surgery, you will be awake but relaxed, and numbing drops are applied to keep you comfortable. The entire procedure usually takes only about 10 to 15 minutes for both eyes, and you will be able to go home the same day.
Step One: Removing the Epithelium
Unlike LASIK, PRK does not involve creating a corneal flap. Instead, the surgeon gently removes the thin outermost layer of the cornea, called the epithelium. This exposes the corneal surface so the laser can reshape it directly. The epithelium is a layer that naturally regenerates, which is why it can be safely removed and allowed to regrow during healing.
Step Two: Reshaping the Cornea
Next, a computer-guided excimer laser delivers a cool, pulsing beam of ultraviolet light to the cornea. The laser removes microscopic amounts of tissue with extraordinary precision, reshaping the cornea so that light entering the eye focuses correctly on the retina. This is the step that actually corrects your nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Practices like ours use advanced systems such as the VISX Star S4 IR excimer laser for customized, highly accurate treatment.
Step Three: Protecting the Healing Eye
Once the cornea has been reshaped, the surgeon places a soft bandage contact lens over the eye. This lens protects the surface and promotes comfortable healing as the epithelium regenerates over the next several days. There are no stitches and no flap to heal.
After the Procedure: Healing and Results
Vision is blurry at first and sharpens steadily as the surface heals, with most patients noticing meaningful improvement within the first week and continued refinement over the following weeks and months. To understand the recovery process in detail, our team will provide thorough aftercare instructions and follow-up visits. You can also compare PRK with other approaches in our guide to vision correction methods.
Ready to Learn More?
At Atlanta Vision Cataract & Laser Center in Hapeville, Dr. Leonard Achiron and our team bring decades of experience to patients throughout Atlanta and surrounding communities. Visit our PRK surgery page or schedule a consultation to find out if PRK is right for you.